Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

23 January 2008

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is the translation of an abridged summary of RSF press releases dated 17, 18 and 21 January 2008 on the cases of French journalists Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson:

On 18 January 2008, the judge ordered the release on bail of Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson. The two French journalists had been imprisoned in Niger since 17 December 2007, RSF noted. The same day, the two journalists working with Arte, a Franco-German TV channel, were released after paying 10 million CFA francs (approx 15,000 euros) each.

In a related development, the journalists’ lawyer told RSF that Al-Hassane Abdourahman, their driver, was released without bail on 22 January 2008. The organisation expresses its relief and welcomes the decision of the Nigerian judge.

Abdourahman was accused of “complicity in undermining state security” and was incarcerated at the Kollo penal camp (20 km south of Niamey). His lawyer, Daouda Samna, requested his release on 18 January 2008, after that of the French reporters’s lawyer had been accepted. "He left the prison this morning and he is currently with its family," stated Samma.

For further information, contact Léonard Vincent, RSF, 47, rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 76, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: africa rsf.org, Internet: http://www.rsf.org